"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." John 16:21
Aren't children just the best? I don't have any so I am looking at it from the outside... But still... I have been around a few.... I am always amazed at how perfect they are.... I was admiring a photo that a friend sent me of her newest grandson and I thought "how wonderful is that?" It really is pretty amazing when you think about it.... As imperfect as we are, when kids are born they are just so perfect.... little hands, little feet, little fingernails... everything is just right.... they are like "little people". But I am reminded that they, like us are born in the image of God. Not to say that God looks like us... but they are awesome to view. Amazingly beautiful. You just stop what you are doing to behold them in all of their glory.... and they don't even do anything..... but yet you are drawn to them....
I remember when my nephew was born... it was a little over 10 years ago. (He is 10 now in case you missed it!). But when he was about a week old my sister and brother in law brought him to visit Grandma in Pittsburgh... while they were here we took a trip to Kennywood. I remember that day so well because it was the first day that I didn't ride anything. Well no I did ride the train once. I spent the entire day just watching my new nephew sleep. I just couldn't get enough of him.... I think that I probably knew that he would be much more fun when he got a little older and could do the cute stuff, but at that moment I just wanted to sit with him and behold his beauty. I know, I'm a little warped, but I really enjoyed that day... oh and the ride I went on, the train ride... it was his first ever Kennywood ride.
Many of my friends have children and grandchildren in different stages of growing up, and they are all special. They do have their moments. Challenging moments at times. But they are all a blessing, not only to their parents, but to all of us who have been blessed with the wonderful opportunity to be a part of their lives.
When I think about how I feel about babies... It reminds me that our love for God should be like that. We should enjoy just sitting there alone with God, to share all of His goodness and pure beauty. That God could love us the way that we love that small child who finds his or her way into our lives, is just so totally amazingly great. We should want to be with God more than we want to do the fun stuff.... Ask yourself if you could sit in a place full of distractions such as Kennywood and yet keep your eyes turned to God. That is the kind of faith and devotion that I long for. To be able to find joy in just being with my God. And to need nothing more than that.... How about you?
Dear Lord, thanks for bringing such joy into our lives. And for letting those of us who chose careers over family to enjoy the children in our lives too. But help us to love You and to look to You with the same love and devotion that we have for the little ones. And help us to keep in mind that we are all made in Your image. And that You look at us, and love us and protect us the same way we look at the little ones.... for we are Your "little ones".
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Time to Share
"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." Acts 17:16-20
Paul did not like what he saw around him and was moved by the Spirit to start to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around him. Paul spoke with Jews and Greeks alike; telling them about Jesus. He didn't pick and choose. He told anyone who would listen. And listen they did. They asked him what he was saying.... As a whole they were interested in what he was telling them.
Not everyone who listened to what Paul had to say, went on to accept Jesus as Savior, but some did. Paul did not have the ability to sway anyone's hearts. He was the messenger. He put the information out there and God worked in the hearts of those whom He called. After all, God is the only one who can change a man's heart.
God has asked us all to go out there and share the good news. He wants us to tell others about Jesus. He wants us to share how Jesus has changed our lives. When we talk about what we know we tend to be passionate about it. It is this passion that gets peoples attention and causes them to want to listen. We can't make them believers. We can't convert them. We can only share the word and pray that God will work in their hearts. We (like Paul before us) are the messengers. God is the one who works the magic in peoples hearts. Not all whom we share with will come to accept Jesus as Savior, but some will. The key is that we MUST share the news if God is giving us a heart for that.
In my church we are having a bible study about end time prophecy. It is quite interesting. It looks like some of the prophecies have already come to pass. It looks like others will soon follow. God has told us that no man will know when that will be... So no matter what is happening in the world, we know that we are heading that way, we don't know when.....
I have never been that interested in sharing about Jesus before... I always felt that God would just work in someone's heart if He wanted them. I never wanted to appear to be trying to "convert" anyone for fear that I would push them further away from the truth. But I am feeling a sense of urgency. I feel that God is saying it is time to be bold. To go out and share the word with others. Just share. I get the sense that I don't have to be pushy. That even if I just share that "this is what I believe God is doing in my life", and if I share that "this is what I believe even if it is not what you believe, and I just wanted you to know where I am coming from..."
During the past several months God has given me an opportunity to discuss my beliefs in God and Jesus in a private conversation with each member of my family. Amazingly each of them actually brought up the subject (or said something that made the time seem right for me to bring it up). I prefaced it with a claim that although I would like for them to believe what I believe, I would not push it on them as I would not want to make them run defensively away... the conversations went well. They listened. They agreed with some of the points that I made. They did not instantly accept Jesus as their Savior. But the seed has been planted. I pray that God will use that seed to change their hearts.
I think that this is what God is calling us to do. Much as Paul did. Plant the seed. Spread the Good News. And then sit back and pray our lil hearts out... and let Him do His thing in their hearts....
Dear Lord, as You have said; we don't know the time or place for Your return. We know that things are looking like we're getting closer to that time. Many of us feel an urgency to spread the Good News about You to those around us. Please guide us and help us to listen to Your still quiet voice inside us.... Give us the words to say, and the humility to say them in love. And please please please give those to whom we share an open heart so that they will at least listen to what we tell them.... and then help us to walk away knowing that we have done all we can.... and then please do Your thing.... Thanks for letting us help... and thanks for how You work it all out.... Thanks for having our back!
Paul did not like what he saw around him and was moved by the Spirit to start to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around him. Paul spoke with Jews and Greeks alike; telling them about Jesus. He didn't pick and choose. He told anyone who would listen. And listen they did. They asked him what he was saying.... As a whole they were interested in what he was telling them.
Not everyone who listened to what Paul had to say, went on to accept Jesus as Savior, but some did. Paul did not have the ability to sway anyone's hearts. He was the messenger. He put the information out there and God worked in the hearts of those whom He called. After all, God is the only one who can change a man's heart.
God has asked us all to go out there and share the good news. He wants us to tell others about Jesus. He wants us to share how Jesus has changed our lives. When we talk about what we know we tend to be passionate about it. It is this passion that gets peoples attention and causes them to want to listen. We can't make them believers. We can't convert them. We can only share the word and pray that God will work in their hearts. We (like Paul before us) are the messengers. God is the one who works the magic in peoples hearts. Not all whom we share with will come to accept Jesus as Savior, but some will. The key is that we MUST share the news if God is giving us a heart for that.
In my church we are having a bible study about end time prophecy. It is quite interesting. It looks like some of the prophecies have already come to pass. It looks like others will soon follow. God has told us that no man will know when that will be... So no matter what is happening in the world, we know that we are heading that way, we don't know when.....
I have never been that interested in sharing about Jesus before... I always felt that God would just work in someone's heart if He wanted them. I never wanted to appear to be trying to "convert" anyone for fear that I would push them further away from the truth. But I am feeling a sense of urgency. I feel that God is saying it is time to be bold. To go out and share the word with others. Just share. I get the sense that I don't have to be pushy. That even if I just share that "this is what I believe God is doing in my life", and if I share that "this is what I believe even if it is not what you believe, and I just wanted you to know where I am coming from..."
During the past several months God has given me an opportunity to discuss my beliefs in God and Jesus in a private conversation with each member of my family. Amazingly each of them actually brought up the subject (or said something that made the time seem right for me to bring it up). I prefaced it with a claim that although I would like for them to believe what I believe, I would not push it on them as I would not want to make them run defensively away... the conversations went well. They listened. They agreed with some of the points that I made. They did not instantly accept Jesus as their Savior. But the seed has been planted. I pray that God will use that seed to change their hearts.
I think that this is what God is calling us to do. Much as Paul did. Plant the seed. Spread the Good News. And then sit back and pray our lil hearts out... and let Him do His thing in their hearts....
Dear Lord, as You have said; we don't know the time or place for Your return. We know that things are looking like we're getting closer to that time. Many of us feel an urgency to spread the Good News about You to those around us. Please guide us and help us to listen to Your still quiet voice inside us.... Give us the words to say, and the humility to say them in love. And please please please give those to whom we share an open heart so that they will at least listen to what we tell them.... and then help us to walk away knowing that we have done all we can.... and then please do Your thing.... Thanks for letting us help... and thanks for how You work it all out.... Thanks for having our back!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Missing You...
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,
'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I have had a tough year as have many of you. Sometimes I think that my problems are worse than anyone else's but then something happens and I realize that we all have pretty much the same problems. Since last September I have lost several people whom I will dearly miss. Many of you have also lost loved ones. God has been teaching me a lot in the past few months about loss.
In Jeremiah 1:5 God tells us that He knew us before we were even formed in our mother's wombs. So that means that He knew each and every one of us. He knew we were coming even before our parents did. This means that there were no mistakes. No unwanted children. God planned for us. He gave us to the parents who raised us. He had a plan for each of us. In Jeremiah 29:11 He even tells us that. So that really says it all, or does it?
I believe that God has been telling me about the ones whom we have lost, that they have done what He sent them here to do. That He had a plan. That He placed us where He wanted us to be. That He had something that He wanted for each of us to accomplish during our lifetime. We don't necessarily know what that something was. It might be what we feel is our "calling" but then again, it may not really be that. Our "calling" might just be what God does to prepare us to do His special task, or it might just place us where He needs/wants for us to be. Sometimes we think we have found our "calling" and then we think "nope, that wasn't it at all, it's this instead..." It may have been one or both or maybe neither. We will probably never be really sure of that until He takes us home. But what I feel He has been showing me is that once we have accomplished that which He wanted us to accomplish, He takes us home to be with him. So that those whom we are missing, are probably sitting with Jesus discussing our progress (or lack of it) in our walk with God. We don't really need to feel sad that they aren't here, because they are in a better place. They are probably really happy where they are....
Everyone has someone whom they affect. Even young babies can affect us. The birth of a child changes lives forever. The loss of a young child or infant could devastate a parent or it could pull them closer to God. God has a plan for each of us. He puts people in our paths all the time who make differences in our lives. Look around. Who do you know that has had an effect on you? Would you have ever guessed that that person would have made such an impact on your lives?
I was having dinner with some relatives last night, and we got to talking about my dad. Those of you who know me know that I lost him this past winter. God has really been my strength as I have dealt with his death. I thought I was over it, and yet this conversation last night was difficult. But God helped me through that one too. I realized that each of us is affected by someone differently. My memories are not your memories. Incidents may be the same. But we each take something different away.
My own walk with God has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years. I have been surrounded by friends who have walked through hard times with God's help. They have shared their lives with me. I have learned from them. God has taken what I have learned from them and shown me how I too can walk closer with Him. I have had to go through some rather rough storms. Even though I have good friends, I have had to walk through those storms alone with God rather than with my friends. Don't get me wrong, my friends were there for me... praying for me.... just as I do for them when they go through the rough times, but some things have to be handled between us and God.
To my friends who are going through those rough times right now, know that I and probably everyone whom you are close to are praying for you. We love you and ask for God to strengthen and comfort you in these hard days. There is nothing that we can say or do that will bring you comfort like God can, but know that we have been there and He has helped us through it and He will do the same for you.
Dear Lord, this was an odd subject to broach, loss is difficult for everyone, and no one is immune to it. We all experience it. Some more than others, but everyone goes through it. Please help us to grow stronger in our walk with you and to let you be there for us in those times of need. And help our friends to realize that they can't make us feel any better during those times, but that their prayers can do wonders. And help us to remember that we are not alone as we go through those times. Please be with my friends. Thanks!
'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I have had a tough year as have many of you. Sometimes I think that my problems are worse than anyone else's but then something happens and I realize that we all have pretty much the same problems. Since last September I have lost several people whom I will dearly miss. Many of you have also lost loved ones. God has been teaching me a lot in the past few months about loss.
In Jeremiah 1:5 God tells us that He knew us before we were even formed in our mother's wombs. So that means that He knew each and every one of us. He knew we were coming even before our parents did. This means that there were no mistakes. No unwanted children. God planned for us. He gave us to the parents who raised us. He had a plan for each of us. In Jeremiah 29:11 He even tells us that. So that really says it all, or does it?
I believe that God has been telling me about the ones whom we have lost, that they have done what He sent them here to do. That He had a plan. That He placed us where He wanted us to be. That He had something that He wanted for each of us to accomplish during our lifetime. We don't necessarily know what that something was. It might be what we feel is our "calling" but then again, it may not really be that. Our "calling" might just be what God does to prepare us to do His special task, or it might just place us where He needs/wants for us to be. Sometimes we think we have found our "calling" and then we think "nope, that wasn't it at all, it's this instead..." It may have been one or both or maybe neither. We will probably never be really sure of that until He takes us home. But what I feel He has been showing me is that once we have accomplished that which He wanted us to accomplish, He takes us home to be with him. So that those whom we are missing, are probably sitting with Jesus discussing our progress (or lack of it) in our walk with God. We don't really need to feel sad that they aren't here, because they are in a better place. They are probably really happy where they are....
Everyone has someone whom they affect. Even young babies can affect us. The birth of a child changes lives forever. The loss of a young child or infant could devastate a parent or it could pull them closer to God. God has a plan for each of us. He puts people in our paths all the time who make differences in our lives. Look around. Who do you know that has had an effect on you? Would you have ever guessed that that person would have made such an impact on your lives?
I was having dinner with some relatives last night, and we got to talking about my dad. Those of you who know me know that I lost him this past winter. God has really been my strength as I have dealt with his death. I thought I was over it, and yet this conversation last night was difficult. But God helped me through that one too. I realized that each of us is affected by someone differently. My memories are not your memories. Incidents may be the same. But we each take something different away.
My own walk with God has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years. I have been surrounded by friends who have walked through hard times with God's help. They have shared their lives with me. I have learned from them. God has taken what I have learned from them and shown me how I too can walk closer with Him. I have had to go through some rather rough storms. Even though I have good friends, I have had to walk through those storms alone with God rather than with my friends. Don't get me wrong, my friends were there for me... praying for me.... just as I do for them when they go through the rough times, but some things have to be handled between us and God.
To my friends who are going through those rough times right now, know that I and probably everyone whom you are close to are praying for you. We love you and ask for God to strengthen and comfort you in these hard days. There is nothing that we can say or do that will bring you comfort like God can, but know that we have been there and He has helped us through it and He will do the same for you.
Dear Lord, this was an odd subject to broach, loss is difficult for everyone, and no one is immune to it. We all experience it. Some more than others, but everyone goes through it. Please help us to grow stronger in our walk with you and to let you be there for us in those times of need. And help our friends to realize that they can't make us feel any better during those times, but that their prayers can do wonders. And help us to remember that we are not alone as we go through those times. Please be with my friends. Thanks!
Friday, July 9, 2010
A Straight Path
"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:11-13
I was driving to work the other day. I usually go this one major route that runs along one of our rivers. It's a beautiful peaceful sight to look out through the trees and be able to see the river to my right. Normally the traffic can be horrendous on that road. I just put on some worship music and slowly make my way towards the office. It's my time for me... But that day was different. One of the side roads leading to this main thoroughfare had been closed due to a mudslide.
What a difference the removal of just one obstruction can make in how fast one can travel down a path. With the road closed, the traffic light was on flash. Because of that we never had the backup that comes from having to stop for the light. What a difference it made. I had been running a bit late that day and had settled in to the belief that it would be a late start for me. But no. With no obstacles in the way I was still able to get to the office on time even though I had a later than usual start.
Of course you guessed it - this got me thinking... If just one obstacle was removed from the road and it made my travel go smoother and faster than normal... then what about my walk with God? What is my path like there? Do I have obstacles? Duh! vOf course I do! Do those obstacles slow me down in my walk with God? It looks like they must... I probably just don't realize it in my daily life because I am so used to being where I am. Just like I was used to the long commute each day.... I guess that I am realizing that if we can remove even one obstacle along our path that it will make a huge difference in our walk with God.
The other thing that I am seeing is that just as I can't block off the road (the one with the mudslide) on my own, to improve my daily commute.... I can't remove the obstacles on my own either. But I can be aware of them... and ask God for some help with them. With God's help anything is possible. Those obstacles can be overcome. The road can become smoother, and easier to follow. We will be able to "run" along that path. There will always be a chance that more obstacles will come. But we're not going down that Path alone. God is with us.
Dear Lord, that was an amazing lesson taught from life. Thanks for not making it a painful one. Please help me and my friends to see the obstacles in our paths and help us to be humble enough to ask for Your help in overcoming them. We realize that there will always be a chance that some new trouble will attempt to block the road, but we know that You are walking with us. Help us to remember that You are always there. And thanks ahead of time for being there...
I was driving to work the other day. I usually go this one major route that runs along one of our rivers. It's a beautiful peaceful sight to look out through the trees and be able to see the river to my right. Normally the traffic can be horrendous on that road. I just put on some worship music and slowly make my way towards the office. It's my time for me... But that day was different. One of the side roads leading to this main thoroughfare had been closed due to a mudslide.
What a difference the removal of just one obstruction can make in how fast one can travel down a path. With the road closed, the traffic light was on flash. Because of that we never had the backup that comes from having to stop for the light. What a difference it made. I had been running a bit late that day and had settled in to the belief that it would be a late start for me. But no. With no obstacles in the way I was still able to get to the office on time even though I had a later than usual start.
Of course you guessed it - this got me thinking... If just one obstacle was removed from the road and it made my travel go smoother and faster than normal... then what about my walk with God? What is my path like there? Do I have obstacles? Duh! vOf course I do! Do those obstacles slow me down in my walk with God? It looks like they must... I probably just don't realize it in my daily life because I am so used to being where I am. Just like I was used to the long commute each day.... I guess that I am realizing that if we can remove even one obstacle along our path that it will make a huge difference in our walk with God.
The other thing that I am seeing is that just as I can't block off the road (the one with the mudslide) on my own, to improve my daily commute.... I can't remove the obstacles on my own either. But I can be aware of them... and ask God for some help with them. With God's help anything is possible. Those obstacles can be overcome. The road can become smoother, and easier to follow. We will be able to "run" along that path. There will always be a chance that more obstacles will come. But we're not going down that Path alone. God is with us.
Dear Lord, that was an amazing lesson taught from life. Thanks for not making it a painful one. Please help me and my friends to see the obstacles in our paths and help us to be humble enough to ask for Your help in overcoming them. We realize that there will always be a chance that some new trouble will attempt to block the road, but we know that You are walking with us. Help us to remember that You are always there. And thanks ahead of time for being there...
Friday, July 2, 2010
Being Green
"In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away; and let him that is in the field likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Luke 17: 31-32
Kermit the Frog once sang a song called; "It's not easy being green." I think that today I am singing a song called; "It's not easy being single." Today's world is a really tough place to try to build a dating relationship. Especially if you're a Christian. There is a lot of pressure out there to do what feels good and people want you to give in. It's easy to say that it is easier if you're dating a Christian man, but the reality is that you never really know who you're going to fall for.
Most of my dating was done before I was walking with God. Since the time I really asked God to guide my ways I have been more interested in getting my life back together than in finding Mr. Right. I kept telling myself that when I date again it will be a Christian guy. A guy who loves God even more than I do. But life sometimes just happens. In case you haven't guessed, I met a guy. He is very nice. I like him a lot. I would like to start a relationship but it is quickly becoming apparent that he is not a "believer". And already he is asking me to go beyond my comfort zone. And a lot of really hard decision making has had to happen. It is easy for a lot of people to do what feels good. And in the past I was no exception. I admit it. But now I have God leading me in how I should live my life. And the decisions become a lot harder.
In Genesis the angels told Lot that he and his family had to leave his town. That they had to go and not look back upon the city because it was evil and God was going to destroy it. Lot was able to do that but his wife was not. She turned back to look longingly at what she was leaving and it destroyed her. "But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:26
Many a bible study has used Lot's wife as an example of what happens to you if you turn back to your old ways. So this is why dating is so hard for Christians. The pressure is on. It has been a while and it feels good to be wanted but it is just so clearly not what God would have me do. I know that I will probably be throwing away a good opportunity to get back into the dating world, but I realize I will have to take a stand. A stand for God and all that He has taught me. A stand that will probably kill any chances of a good relationship with this nice guy. Or will it? If this is the relationship that God wants for me he might understand. He might even come to know God. I am not gonna count on it, but I AM gonna take that stand. I am gonna believe that God is control and sees the bigger picture here that I do not see. I can't just turn back to my old ways because it "feels good" or because I don't want to be alone... I am not alone.... I am walking with God.
This was a tough story to write about. It's very personal and private. But at the same time, I am sure that I am not the only one who is dealing with problems like this and I believe that God will use this to help someone else who might be going through similar problems. Or maybe one of you has been where I am now and has some wisdom for me. What I do know is that God sent His Son to die for my sins. Knowing and believing this I have to take a stand. I know it won't be easy, but with God's help and a strong Godly community to support me, I know that it is possible. After all, "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me." Philippians 4:13
Dear Lord, I need You now like never before. And I'm pretty sure that it's not just me. We all do. Thanks for what You have done for me. Thanks for what You have done for all of us. Please give us the strength to do Your will and not what just feels good. Please take away the human pain that I know will come from doing the "right" thing and not the "popular" thing. And please be with this man who doesn't know You. Help him to understand that it isn't that I don't want to be with him, it's just that I want to walk with You more. And maybe You could help him to come to know You more too. I don't really know what to ask for here, but I am sure You already know what is needed. Thanks for always being there...
Kermit the Frog once sang a song called; "It's not easy being green." I think that today I am singing a song called; "It's not easy being single." Today's world is a really tough place to try to build a dating relationship. Especially if you're a Christian. There is a lot of pressure out there to do what feels good and people want you to give in. It's easy to say that it is easier if you're dating a Christian man, but the reality is that you never really know who you're going to fall for.
Most of my dating was done before I was walking with God. Since the time I really asked God to guide my ways I have been more interested in getting my life back together than in finding Mr. Right. I kept telling myself that when I date again it will be a Christian guy. A guy who loves God even more than I do. But life sometimes just happens. In case you haven't guessed, I met a guy. He is very nice. I like him a lot. I would like to start a relationship but it is quickly becoming apparent that he is not a "believer". And already he is asking me to go beyond my comfort zone. And a lot of really hard decision making has had to happen. It is easy for a lot of people to do what feels good. And in the past I was no exception. I admit it. But now I have God leading me in how I should live my life. And the decisions become a lot harder.
In Genesis the angels told Lot that he and his family had to leave his town. That they had to go and not look back upon the city because it was evil and God was going to destroy it. Lot was able to do that but his wife was not. She turned back to look longingly at what she was leaving and it destroyed her. "But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:26
Many a bible study has used Lot's wife as an example of what happens to you if you turn back to your old ways. So this is why dating is so hard for Christians. The pressure is on. It has been a while and it feels good to be wanted but it is just so clearly not what God would have me do. I know that I will probably be throwing away a good opportunity to get back into the dating world, but I realize I will have to take a stand. A stand for God and all that He has taught me. A stand that will probably kill any chances of a good relationship with this nice guy. Or will it? If this is the relationship that God wants for me he might understand. He might even come to know God. I am not gonna count on it, but I AM gonna take that stand. I am gonna believe that God is control and sees the bigger picture here that I do not see. I can't just turn back to my old ways because it "feels good" or because I don't want to be alone... I am not alone.... I am walking with God.
This was a tough story to write about. It's very personal and private. But at the same time, I am sure that I am not the only one who is dealing with problems like this and I believe that God will use this to help someone else who might be going through similar problems. Or maybe one of you has been where I am now and has some wisdom for me. What I do know is that God sent His Son to die for my sins. Knowing and believing this I have to take a stand. I know it won't be easy, but with God's help and a strong Godly community to support me, I know that it is possible. After all, "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me." Philippians 4:13
Dear Lord, I need You now like never before. And I'm pretty sure that it's not just me. We all do. Thanks for what You have done for me. Thanks for what You have done for all of us. Please give us the strength to do Your will and not what just feels good. Please take away the human pain that I know will come from doing the "right" thing and not the "popular" thing. And please be with this man who doesn't know You. Help him to understand that it isn't that I don't want to be with him, it's just that I want to walk with You more. And maybe You could help him to come to know You more too. I don't really know what to ask for here, but I am sure You already know what is needed. Thanks for always being there...
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